Valencian language for expats: what the law requires

October 7, 2026

Valencian language for expats: the rules in brief

Spanish (Castilian) is official throughout Spain, and Valencian is co-official with it in the Valencian Community [1][2].
You can deal with the Generalitat, town halls and courts in either language, and no one may be discriminated against for the language they use [2][3].
Since the 2025-2026 school year, families choose Spanish or Valencian as the base language of their children’s schooling, and pupils arriving from abroad can ask for a two-year exemption from Valencian assessment [5].
Since 1 June 2025, Valencian is required for regional civil service posts only when the post needs it [7][8].
Spanish nationality requires the DELE A2 and the CCSE; Valencian is not tested [10].
Foreign-language documents usually need an official translation into Spanish by a sworn translator [12].

Why the Valencian language matters to expats

Anyone who moves to Valencia, Alicante or Castellón soon notices that street signs, school letters and official forms often appear in two languages.

This guide explains the rules on the Valencian language for expats: where Spanish is enough, where Valencian makes a difference, and what the law says about schools, public offices, jobs, nationality and documents.

It describes the legal position at 7 October 2026 and takes no side in the public debate about language policy.

Two official languages: what the law says

Article 3 of the Spanish Constitution makes Castilian the official language of the State and says the other Spanish languages are also official in their autonomous communities, in line with their Statutes [1].

Article 6 of the Statute of Autonomy states that Valencian is the Community’s own language, official together with Castilian, and that no one may be discriminated against because of their language [2].

Law 4/1983 on the use and teaching of Valencian gives the use of Valencian full legal effect, exactly as if Castilian had been used [3].

In the Generalitat’s 2021 survey of 7,171 residents aged 15 and over, 75.8% said they understand Valencian quite well or perfectly [9].

For daily life, the rules on the Valencian language for expats come down to this: Spanish is always valid, and Valencian is an equal alternative you may choose but are not obliged to use.

Valencian-speaking and Spanish-speaking areas

Law 4/1983 lists the municipalities where Valencian or Castilian predominates, and some school rules depend on that list [3][5].

Valencia city, Alicante, Castellón de la Plana and most of the coast fall in the Valencian-speaking area, while districts such as Requena-Utiel and the Vega Baja around Orihuela are Spanish-speaking, as the lists in Articles 35 and 36 of Law 4/1983 set out [3][9].

If you are still choosing where to live, our guide to Valencia suburbs for expats compares the main residential areas.

Where Spanish is enough and where Valencian matters

The table below shows how the rules on the Valencian language for expats work in the most common situations.

Situation	Is Spanish enough?	Where Valencian matters	Rule
Generalitat, town hall or regional court	Yes	Optional; replies follow the language you choose	Law 4/1983 [3]
State offices (immigration, tax, police)	Yes	Optional at offices based in the region	Law 39/2015 [4]
State school	Families choose the base language	Taught as a subject; exemptions available	Law 1/2024 [5]
Regional civil service	For many posts	Required where the post needs it; otherwise a possible merit	Law 4/2021 [7][8]
Spanish nationality	Yes	Not tested	Royal Decree 1004/2015 [10]
Notarial deeds and registers	Yes	Optional; copies for use outside the region are in Castilian	Law 4/1983 [3]

Dealing with the administration in either language

Article 10 of Law 4/1983 gives everyone the right to address the Generalitat, local councils and other public bodies in Valencian [3].

Under Article 11, the administration must communicate with you in the official language you choose, whichever language the file was opened in [3].

Article 12 gives the same right before the courts, without any translation being required [3].

Castilian is equally official, so a resident who speaks no Valencian can complete every procedure in Spanish [1][2].

State bodies, such as immigration offices and the tax agency, follow Article 15 of Law 39/2015: Castilian is the language of their procedures, but you may also use Valencian at their offices in the region [4].

Most foreign residents therefore handle permits and tax matters in Spanish, and the rules on the Valencian language for expats confirm that this is always valid.

If you are planning the move itself, our practical guide to moving to Valencia covers registration, housing and the first paperwork in your new city.

Schools: the 2024 educational freedom law

Valencian Law 1/2024, of 27 June, on educational freedom was published in the DOGV on 28 June 2024 and replaced the previous plurilingualism law [5].

Its language rules apply from the 2025-2026 school year, and its exemption rules have applied since 2024-2025 [5].

For families, this is the part of the Valencian language for expats with the most day-to-day impact.

Choosing the base language

Under Article 4, parents choose Valencian or Castilian as the base language for infant, primary and secondary education and the Bachillerato [5].

In Valencian-speaking areas, families’ first choices on admission applications decide how many classes in each school use each base language [5].

In Spanish-speaking areas, Castilian takes most teaching time and Valencian is introduced progressively, for example 10% of teaching time in infant education [5].

Exemptions for pupils arriving from abroad

Article 14 lets pupils joining the Valencian system for the first time from another region or a foreign education system request exemption from the assessment and grading of Valencian [5].

The exemption covers the school year of arrival and the following year, and parents apply on behalf of minors [5].

Exempt pupils must still attend and take part in Valencian classes [5].

Families temporarily resident in a Valencian-speaking area can request exemption for up to three consecutive years, and families in Spanish-speaking municipalities without time limit [5].

Pupils arriving from a foreign education system can be exempt from Valencian assessment for two school years: the year they arrive and the next one [5].

Fifty members of Congress challenged parts of Law 1/2024 before the Constitutional Court, which admitted the challenge in November 2024 [6].

The challenge does not include Article 14, and the consolidated BOE text shows no amendment or annulment at the date of writing [5][6].

Our guide to the Spanish school system for expat children explains stages, admissions and school types.

Public-sector jobs and the Valencian requirement

Valencian Law 4/2021 on the regional civil service originally made accredited knowledge of Valencian a general requirement to sit selection exams [7].

Law 5/2025 changed Article 62 so that, since 1 June 2025, Valencian is required only when necessary for certain corps, scales or groups, in proportion to the duties [7][8].

Where it is not a requirement, Article 111 lets competitions to fill posts give it special weight as a merit when it relates directly to the duties [7][8].

Teachers and health service staff are governed by their own rules, so check the specific call before you apply [7].

In the same survey, 50.6% of residents said they speak Valencian quite well or perfectly, and 40.8% that they write it that well [9].

In the private sector, the law sets no general rule on the Valencian language for expats, and language skills depend on the employer and the role.

Our guide to working in Spain as a foreigner covers permits and contracts.

Spanish nationality: the language test is in Spanish

Article 6 of Royal Decree 1004/2015 requires applicants for nationality by residence to pass the DELE Spanish diploma at level A2 or higher and the CCSE test, both run by the Instituto Cervantes [10].

Nationals of the Spanish-speaking countries listed in the decree, such as Argentina, Colombia and Mexico, and holders of a DELE A2 or higher are exempt from the DELE [10].

Minors and people with judicially modified capacity do not sit the tests [10][11].

Valencian plays no part in the file, so the Valencian language for expats rules rarely affect nationality applications.

Our guide to the CCSE exam for Spanish nationality explains how to register and prepare.

Contracts, official documents and sworn translation

Under the Civil Code, a contract binds the parties whatever form it takes, provided the essential conditions for validity are met [14].

Notarial deeds in the region are drawn up in Valencian or Castilian, as the signatory indicates, and register entries follow the official language requested [3].

A foreign buyer who speaks neither language should arrange an interpreter or bilingual adviser before signing.

Royal Decree 724/2020 gives official status to translations between a foreign language and Castilian made by sworn translators appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which publishes a searchable list [12][15].

In court, documents not written in Castilian or the region’s official language must come with a translation [13].

For nationality, the foreign birth certificate and criminal record certificate must be legalised and translated [10].

Our guide to apostilles and sworn translation in Spain explains how to prepare foreign documents.

Families relocating with school-age children can read our guide to moving to Spain with children for visas, registration and school admission.

A language checklist for new residents

These steps cover the points where the Valencian language for expats rules touch daily life.

Step	What to do
1. Check your municipality	Valencian-speaking or Spanish-speaking area
2. Choose your language with public offices	Ask for replies in Spanish if you prefer
3. Choose the school base language	State it on the admission application
4. Ask about the exemption	When your child first enrols from abroad
5. Read job calls	Is Valencian a requirement or a merit?
6. Prepare documents	Book the DELE and CCSE; use a sworn translator

How Delaguía y Luzón can help

Our immigration law team in Valencia has advised international clients since 1960.

We handle nationality applications, residence permits and administrative procedures, and explain the Valencian language for expats rules in English.

Speak to our team about your move to Valencia

Contact our legal team for personalised guidance on your case.

We work in English, French, Spanish and Russian from our office in Valencia.

Email: felix.delaguia@delaguialuzon.com
Phone: +34 963 74 16 57
Office: Avinguda Regne de València, 6, 1º-2º, 46005 Valencia

Frequently asked questions about the Valencian language for expats

Do I need to speak Valencian to live in the Valencian Community?

No.

Castilian is official throughout the region, so the rules on the Valencian language for expats let you complete every public procedure in Spanish.

Can the town hall write to me only in Valencian?

You can ask for Castilian.

Law 4/1983 obliges the administration to communicate in the official language you choose.

Is Valencian the same as Catalan?

The Statute of Autonomy calls the language Valencian and names the Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua as its regulatory body.

This guide uses the legal term.

Will my child have to study in Valencian?

Families choose Spanish or Valencian as the base language.

Valencian is still taught as a subject.

Can my child be exempt from Valencian?

Pupils arriving from abroad can be exempt from Valencian assessment for two school years.

They still attend classes.

Do I need Valencian for a job with the Generalitat?

Only where the post requires it.

Otherwise it can count as a merit.

Does the Spanish nationality test include Valencian?

No.

You need the DELE A2 in Spanish and the CCSE.

Can I sign a property deed in English?

Deeds in the region are drawn up in Valencian or Castilian.

Arrange an interpreter if you understand neither.

Who can make an official translation of my documents?

A sworn translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry publishes a searchable list.

Can I use Valencian at the immigration office?

Yes, Law 39/2015 allows it at State offices in the region.

Spanish is always accepted.

References

Living in Spain